How To Care For Your Lop Eared Rabbit

Floppy ears, twitching noses, soft fur and infectious personalities—what’s not to love about rabbits? But those adorable lop ears require some special care. Welcome to the wonderful world of lop eared rabbits! Learn everything you need to know to keep your bunny happy and healthy. From diet and housing recommendations to grooming routines and handling techniques, we cover all the essentials. You’ll also pick up tips for litter training, exercise requirements, understanding body language, and more. Lop rabbits can make delightful pets, but only with attentive, educated owners. Let us guide you on this hopping adventure into lop eared rabbit caregiving!

Care for lop rabbit ears

Lop eared rabbits have ears that flop down on either side of their head instead of standing upright like other rabbit breeds. This distinctive trait gives lops an adorable appearance but also requires some special care to keep their ears healthy. Lop ears are more prone to infections due to reduced air circulation and dirt buildup. Check your lop's ears regularly for signs of infection like redness, swelling, discharge or a foul odor. Gently wipe inside the ears with a cotton ball dipped in warm water or an ear cleansing solution recommended by your vet. Never use q-tips which can injure the delicate inner ear. Keep your lop's ears clean and dry to prevent moisture and bacteria from accumulating inside.

Inspect inside and behind the ears daily. Lops with light fur may get sunburn on the tops of their ears so apply rabbit-safe sunscreen if they will be outdoors for extended periods. Use shredded paper or straw as litter instead of wood shavings which can get lodged in ear canals. Don't house lops on wire bottom cages as their ears can get caught and injured. Provide soft, clean bedding and check it frequently as lops' heavy ears often drag on the ground. Monitor their ears for signs of fly strike during summer when flies lay eggs in soiled fur. Seek prompt veterinary care for any ear issues to treat infection and prevent irreversible damage. With proper care and cleaning, lop ears are just a cute quirk and won't pose a problem for your bunny.

How to clean lop rabbit ears

Cleaning your lop eared rabbit's ears regularly is important to prevent painful infections. Here are some tips for effective ear cleaning:

Supplies Needed:

Cotton balls or soft cloth
Warm water
Ear cleansing solution (recommended by your vet)

Steps:

Sit on the floor with your rabbit in your lap or on a table/counter at a comfortable height. Handle gently to keep your rabbit calm and secure during cleaning.
Dampen a cotton ball or soft cloth with warm water. Wring out any excess moisture.
Gently wipe the inside of the ear flap and canal only as far down as you can see. Never insert anything into the ear canal.
Use a fresh cotton ball with ear cleanser to gently wipe away any wax or debris loosened by the warm water.
Rewarm the water as needed and use additional fresh cotton balls to remove all visible dirt. Discard used cotton balls.
Dry your rabbit's ears thoroughly with a clean dry cotton ball. Ensure no moisture remains inside the ear canal.
Provide your rabbit with praise and a treat for being well behaved during cleanings.
Monitor your rabbit's ears daily for signs of infection and clean at least weekly for prevention. Seek prompt veterinary care if you observe discharge, odor, swelling or redness.

With regular gentle cleaning using proper technique, you can help keep your lop's trademark ears in great condition. Pay extra attention for signs of infection and never use cotton swabs to prevent injury. Keep those adorable lop ears healthy and happy.

Care for lop rabbit teeth

Lop eared rabbits require diligent dental care due to their tendency to develop malocclusions and tooth spurs. Here are some tips for keeping your lop rabbit's teeth healthy:

Feed a diet of primarily hay and grass to promote chewing and wear down teeth naturally. Grass hay like timothy or orchard grass is ideal.
Limit pellets to no more than 1/4 cup per 5 lbs body weight daily. Pellets are concentrated and don't require as much chewing.
Avoid sugary treats and fruits which can contribute to tooth decay. Occasional small pieces of carrot or apple are ok.
Provide chew toys like untreated wood blocks and sticks to encourage gnawing and filing of teeth.
Check teeth weekly for overgrowth, misalignment or sharp points/spurs which require trimming by your vet.
Take your rabbit to the vet for annual dental exams and any time you notice drooling, weight loss, loose teeth, or difficulty eating.
For severely misaligned teeth, an annual teeth trimming by your vet may be needed to prevent overgrowth.
Address dental issues early before they lead to abscesses, jaw damage or starvation from inability to eat.

With attentive dental care, a proper diet, and checkups as needed, you can help your lop eared rabbit maintain good dental health and prevent painful tooth overgrowth.

A healthy diet

Feeding an appropriate diet is key to keeping lop eared rabbits healthy and happy. Here are some diet guidelines:

Provide unlimited grass hay like timothy or orchard at all times. Hay promotes chewing to wear down teeth and provides essential fiber.
Limit pellets to no more than 1/4 cup daily per 5 lbs body weight. Too many pellets lead to obesity. Select a pellet made for adult rabbits.
Feed approximately 1 cup of chopped leafy greens per 2 lbs body weight daily. Choose from kale, romaine, parsley, cilantro, carrot tops, etc. Introduce new veggies slowly.
Offer a small slice of carrot, apple or berry once or twice a week as a treat. Sugar must be limited.
Ensure fresh clean water is always available in a tip-proof bowl.
Scatter hay and greens around the cage so your rabbit grazes throughout the day. Use food toys like balls and puzzles.
Do not feed iceberg lettuce, onions, corn, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits high in sugar, or human treats. These are unhealthy for rabbits.
Monitor your rabbit's weight and adjust portions to prevent obesity or starvation.
For overweight rabbits, consult your vet about a safe weight loss plan. Avoid low fiber or starvation diets.

Following these diet guidelines will meet all the nutritional needs of your lop eared rabbit and set the stage for a long, healthy life.

Rabbit teeth check

To check your lop rabbit's teeth at home, follow these steps:

Sit on the floor and hold your rabbit gently but securely on your lap. Have a helper if your rabbit is squirmy.
Tip the head back slightly to expose the front teeth. Run your finger along each upper and lower incisor to feel for sharp edges or uneven wear.
Open the mouth gently using your thumb and forefinger. Visually inspect the inner lips, gums, and surface of the molars.
Watch for excess salivation, loose teeth, holes in the gums, swelling, and reddened tissue indicating infection or injury.
Check that alignment allows the upper and lower teeth to meet properly as your rabbit chews. Misaligned teeth can prevent proper chewing.
Note any teeth that appear overgrown, rotated, or growing in unusual directions. Also look for large tooth spurs.
Check for a healthy pink color without black spots that could indicate tooth decay.
Release your rabbit and provide a treat for being well-behaved during the tooth check.
Schedule an appointment with your rabbit-savvy vet if you observe any dental abnormalities for evaluation and treatment.

Regular at-home tooth checks along with annual dental exams by your vet can help identify dental issues early when they are most treatable. With attention and prompt care, you can help your lop eared rabbit maintain good dental health.

Preventing obesity in lop rabbits

Lop eared rabbits are prone to obesity which can lead to many health problems. Here are tips to keep your lop lean and fit:

Limit pellet portions to 1/4 cup or less per day. Pellets are calorie dense.
Feed primarily grass hay which is lower in calories than pellets or veggies. Provide unlimited timothy, orchard or oat hay.
Feed leafy greens instead of starchy veggies higher in carbs. Choose kale, parsley, cilantro, romaine lettuce and carrot tops.
Weigh your rabbit weekly. Adjust portions if weight climbs. The ideal weight for most lops is 3 to 5 lbs.
Measure treats and limit to no more than 1 tbsp per day of healthy treats like carrots or apple slices. Avoid processed sugars and starches.
Make sure your rabbit is active at least 3-4 hours per day outside their cage to burn calories.
Limit confinement in small cages. Rabbits should have enough room to hop and play daily.
Spay/neuter your rabbit if possible. Unaltered rabbits have higher obesity risk.
Consult your vet for advice if your lop becomes overweight. Fad diets can be dangerous.

With a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and routine weighing and body condition checks, you can keep your lop eared rabbit fit and trim.

Helping Obese Rabbits Lose Weight

Is your rabbit's waistline expanding? Obesity is a common problem in pet rabbits that can lead to serious health complications. Here are tips on helping an overweight bunny slim down safely.

First, visit your vet to rule out any underlying medical issues and get a recommendation on target weight. Then, reduce calorie intake slowly by decreasing pellets, treats, fruits and starchy veggies. Switch to unlimited grass hay. Increase exercise time too. Aim for at least 3-4 hours of playtime outside the cage daily.

Weigh your rabbit weekly. Expect a safe weight loss of 0.5-1% of body weight per week. Rapid loss can cause liver damage. Add timothy hay cubes or balls to encourage foraging behavior and intestinal motility. Boost fiber sources like pure psyllium husk.

Restrict sugars and starches. Focus on leafy greens and low calorie veggies. Try feeding from puzzle toys and food balls to slow eating and make obtaining food more active. Limit fruits to 1 tbsp or less 2-3 times per week. Provide only 1-2 tsp of healthy treats like carrots 3-4 times per week.

Monitor for mobility issues and scale back activity if needed. Provide soft bedding and ramps for access. Ensure unlimited water. With patience and a comprehensive approach, you can safely help your rabbit return to a healthy weight and prevent obesity-related illness. Consult your vet if you encounter challenges.

Lop rabbit body language

Interpreting your lop eared rabbit's body language allows you to understand their emotions and needs. Here are some common lop bunny behaviors explained:

Ears – Ears held upright indicate alertness. Lop ears pulled back against body signal fear or aggression.

Head – Nudging your hand invites petting. Circling your feet requests food. Head shaking shows disapproval.

Eyes – Half-closed eyes shows contentment. Wide staring eyes indicate fear.

Nose – Nose twitching and sniffing means curiosity. Thumping the nose communicates danger or displeasure.

Teeth – Tooth grinding often shows pain or illness. Chattering teeth can mean fear or anger.

Paws – Digging or repeated striking of a surface expresses boredom or frustration.

Tail – Rapid tail wagging communicates irritation, pain or fear.

Posture – Stretched out indicates relaxation. Tense, hunched posture is a sign of pain or illness. Standing on hind legs with ears erect shows curiosity.

Vocalizations – Honking, oinking or grunting are all normal communication sounds in rabbits.

Movement – Zooming, binkying, and dancing about express joy and high energy. Hiding and lack of movement can signal illness or fear.

Understanding lop rabbit body language allows you to better interpret their needs and emotions so you can react appropriately. Pay close attention to subtle cues your rabbit gives.

How much control do lop rabbits have of their ears?

Lop eared rabbits have less control over their ears compared to rabbits with upright ears due to the lop gene that causes their trademark floppy ears. Here's more on how lops use their ears:

Lop rabbits have little to no ability to rotate or lift their ears independently of head movement. Upright eared rabbits can turn their ears 270 degrees to listen in all directions without moving their head.
Lops must turn their head to orient their ears to listen for sounds in a specific direction. Their vision and hearing abilities are more limited.
When alert, lops can lift their ears slightly by raising their head and neck up. But they have no control over each ear's independent movement.
Lop ears are carried horizontally when relaxed. When startled or investigating something, lops will raise their head which lifts the ears somewhat upwards but not completely erect.
Lop ears essentially just hang down passively on either side of the head with little ability for the rabbit to move them at will.
Lops may have more difficulty localizing the source of sounds. They tend to startle more easily if approached from behind or the side where vision is obscured.

So while those cute floppy lop ears may look very animated, they have a much more limited range of motion than the ears of other upright eared rabbit breeds. Lop owners will need to be more alert to compensate for their rabbits' poorer hearing and vision.

Interpreting lop rabbit ears

A lop eared rabbit uses their trademark ears to communicate their mood and emotions. Here's how to interpret lop ear positions:

Relaxed/Content: Ears will hang down in a horizontal position on either side when the rabbit is calm and relaxed. The ears may quiver gently if they are particularly mellow and happy. This classic lop look says everything is fine.

Alert/Curious: The lop rabbit raises their head to lift their ears into a slightly more upright position. Both ears will be oriented forward at roughly a 45 degree angle. This signals the rabbit is listening or paying close attention to something interesting.

Stressed/Scared: When frightened or upset, the lop pulls their ears back tightly against the neck with the opening facing backwards. The ears lay very flat against the body almost disappearing from view. This warns that the rabbit feels threatened.

Aggressive/Angry: Ears pivoted outwards from the head but also flattened backward against the neck often accompanies nipping or lunging. The rabbit is ready to defend themselves from perceived danger.

Pain: Ears repeatedly flicking back, twitching rapidly, and shaking can indicate discomfort or pain. Check your bunny over carefully for signs of illness or injury.

Observe both ear positioning and overall body language to properly understand your lop rabbit's emotions and needs. Those ears don't just look adorable – they communicate important information.

Lop rabbit temperament

Despite their reputation as laidback "lap rabbits," lop eared rabbits have varied personalities. While genes partially influence temperament, handling, environment, and socialization play key roles. Here are some generalized lop traits:

Calm: Lops tend to be more mellow than some active breeds like Dutch or Dwarf rabbits, especially as they mature. But young lops can be quite energetic and playful.

Affectionate: Well-socialized lops frequently enjoy petting from their trusted humans. They often appreciate a cozy cuddle session.

Smart: Lops are highly intelligent and can be litter trained, taught tricks and behaviors, and even walk on leash when properly motivated. Food rewards work best for training.

Independent: Lops are often content to entertain themselves for periods of time. But they should not be left alone constantly.

Adaptable: Lops typically adjust well to being indoor house rabbits, but require space to explore and burn energy. Outdoor supervised time is also beneficial.

Gentle: Lops tend to get along well with respectful children and other pets when properly introduced. Always supervise young kids with rabbits.

Skittish: Improper handling or lack of socialization can result in a fearful, nippy, or aggressive lop. Make socialization a priority early in life.

While lop rabbit personalities aren't identical, their intelligence and trainability make them a popular pet rabbit choice for both children and adults. Remember that temperament is shaped through genetics, environment, handling and training techniques.

Lop ears development

Lop rabbits develop their trademark floppy ears differently than rabbits with upright ears. Here is how a lop rabbit's ears develop:

Lop ears begin growing upright like any rabbit at birth, when cartilage in the ear provides support. Babies have prominent ears that stand tall above their head.
Around 3-4 weeks of age, enzymes begin breaking down critical collagen proteins in a lop rabbit's ear cartilage. This begins the lopping process.
Over the next several weeks, as collagen wears away, the ears progressively weaken and begin to fold over, losing their ability to stay upright.
By 8-12 weeks of age, a lop rabbit's ears will be almost completely lopped, hanging down on each side of the head. The lop look is fully developed.
Lop ears contain much less upright ear cartilage compared to other breeds. Weakened, degraded cartilage gives lop ears their floppy trait.
By adulthood, lop ears contain almost no functional ear cartilage. They are composed mostly of skin, blood vessels, and muscles which have very limited movement or erectility.
Each individual lop ear can lop to varying degrees, giving rabbits unique variations in ear carriage, erectness, and folding.

Understanding the lopping process helps rabbit owners better appreciate how their pet’s trademark ears develop as they mature from tiny kit to adult bunny.

Lop rabbit history

The origins of lop eared rabbits can be traced to 17th century England when unusual lop-eared mutations began appearing in wild rabbit populations. The exact cause is unknown but may be related to selective breeding or genetic drift. Here is some history:

One of the first documented lop-eared rabbits emerged in England in 1790 and caused